HRT Friday Report

Chinese GP

Promising times on Hispania Racing's first day

Vitantonio Liuzzi, Hispania Racing Team, HRT

Photo by: xpb.cc

Shanghai, 15th of April 2011
Shanghai International Circuit

10.00-11.30 FORMULA 1 PRACTICE SESSION 1
Narain Karthikeyan F111-03 #22 24th (23 laps) 1:45.019
Vitantonio Liuzzi F111-02 #23 21st (18 laps) 1:44.359

14.00-15.30 FORMULA 1 PRACTICE SESSION 2
Narain Karthikeyan F111-03 #22 20th (25 laps) 1:42.902
Vitantonio Liuzzi F111-02 #23 21st (3 laps) 1:43.850

Hispania Racing went out onto the track at 9:00 am sharp this morning with the aim of achieving more mileage. Under the grey skies of Shanghai, both drivers were able to complete a solid morning session. Liuzzi ran a total of 18 laps posting a best time of 1:44.359, whereas Karthikeyan completed 23 laps with a best time of 1:45.019. In the afternoon, Narain did 25 laps and set a best time of 1:42.902. Tonio’s session was altered by hydraulic problems and was only able to complete 3 laps clocking a fastest time of 1:43.850.

Colin Kolles, Hispania Racing Team Principal:

“Today was not a bad day, unfortunately we had some issues and couldn’t run as we wanted but the times look promising. I think we made another step forward in terms of performance so I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s qualifying.”

“Tonio had a hydraulic leak which had to be fixed so we had to take off the gearbox, the clutch and other things which took up some time, this was the main reason for the delay. Taking in mind that he was only able to complete one timed lap in the second session, he did a fantastic time.”

Colin Kolles is happy despite some gearbox problems

Photo by: xpb.cc

“Narain did a really good job today, he had no issues with his car so was able to the run the programme according to plan and post a good time. I think performance-wise there is still room for improvement so that is promising.”

“We are confident ahead of tomorrow’s qualifying where hopefully we can achieve our target of getting closer to our rivals.”

Narain Karthikeyan, driver #22:

“Today we tried different set-ups and got in a reasonable amount of running. We tested out our race set-up as well so, overall, it was quite a productive day. We will try and take another step forward tomorrow and see where we can get. I’m happy with the amount of laps we got under our belts today, apart from my quick spin towards the end, it was a very good day. Now we must look to qualify in a good position and aim to finish the race on Sunday.”

Vitantonio Liuzzi, driver #23:

The time was not bad at all so we have to be positive coming into tomorrow’s qualifying

Vitantonio Liuzzi

“We had a productive morning of testing in which we did quite a few laps and everything went according to plan. The car was running fine, we brought some updates which we will be able to use in Turkey so it was a good morning. Unfortunately we had to stop on the last lap because of a hydraulic problem which dragged on into the afternoon where I was only able to do one lap.”

“It’s a shame we weren’t able to run more in the afternoon. By doing more laps we would have got to understand the car a little bit more and would be better prepared for tomorrow. The time was not bad at all so we have to be positive coming into tomorrow’s qualifying.”